End of page signalling device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to apparatus for incorporation in new typewriters or for attachment to existing typewriters for signalling a preset line, paragraph, or page length. The device attaches to the platen and platen support frame and permits the operator to index, from a starting or home position, the number of lines or amount of platen rotation desired. As typing proceeds and the platen rotates, relative motion is established between a bell ringer structure and a bell so that upon reaching the indexed position, the signal is sounded. Typing may be continued without damaging the device through the provision of a clutch or slipping mechanism. The device can be easily reset through the provision of an operator knob for disengaging the drive from the platen to permit a return spring, which has been tensioned by platen movement, to return the mechanism to home position.

United States Patent [191 Russell Jan. 16, 1973 [54] END OF PAGE SIGNALLING DEVICE Primary ExaminerErnest T. Wright, Jr. [76] Inventor: Carl D. Russell, 1502 South Attorney-Wilfred Caldwell Boulder, Apt. 22-G, Tulsa, Okla. 74119 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Jan. 12, 1970 The invention relates to apparatus for incorporation in new typewriters or for attachment to existing [21] Appl' L172 typewriters for signalling a preset line, paragraph, or page length. The device attaches to the platen and [52] US. Cl ..l97/189 platen support frame and permits the operator to in- [51] Int. Cl. ..B4lj 29/44 dex, from a starting or home position, the number of Field of Search N 1 192 lines or amount of platen rotation desired. As typing proceeds and the platen rotates, relative motion is References Cited established between a bell ringer structure and a bell so that upon reaching the indexed osition, the signal UNITED STATES PATENTS p is sounded. Typing may be continued without damag- 953,083 3/1910 Yaw ..197/127 ing the device through the provision of a clutch 0r 1,295,307 2/191 H y v "197/ 192x slipping mechanism. The device can be easily reset Fanger through the p o sion of a roperato knob for disc" 2,298,590 10/1942 Rlch ..197/189 th d f th I t t t 2,690,830 10/1954 Gunn ..l97/189 mm P a o Perm a Fe 2,897,945 8/1959 Gilmore ..197/189 sprmg, whlch has been tensmed by P movement,

3,276,562 10/1966 Mathews ..197/189 x to return the mechanism to home Position- 3,349,890 10/1967 Russell 1 ..197/189 2,626,036 1/1953 Sternfeld ..197/189 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain ..197/189 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 16 I973 SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR CARL D. RUSSELL ATTORNEY PATENTEDJAH 16 I975 3.7 1 0.916

SHEET 2 BF 2 F l (3.3 INVENTOR.

END OF PAGE SIGNALLING DEVICE The invention comprises a compact unit readily incorporable in or attachable to typewriters of all styles and makes. The provision of universal attachments for selection of the appropriate connection between the device and the particular style platen and platen support inexpensively enables one device to be universal in application. The attachment or coupling includes a hollow sleeve support for several elements of the device. First, it accommodates the indexing means, which is set by the operator through rotation from a zero or home position, relative to the sleeve, to predetermine the amount of rotation of the platen (length of typing) to ring the bell. Therefore, the indexing means carries with it either the bell or the bell ringing mechanism.

Assuming that the bell is carried by the indexing herein taught; and

means, then the bell ringer element and a portion of the drive means are also carried by the hollow sleeve and are also rotatable relative thereto, but in response to platen rotation. Also, one end of a bell ringer return spring is connected to this rotatable portion so that the spring may be tensioned as typing proceeds.

The hollow sleeve is flatted to carry fixed thereon a disc or other means for fixedly holding the opposite end of the bell ringer return spring. Also, a further portion of the drive means is carried in a fixed position on the flatted hollow sleeve. A clutch or drive spring means then serves to couple the remaining portion of the drive arrangement from the platen to the rotatable and fixedly mounted drive portions to permit coupling to and release from the platen and, also automatic return to starting position by the return spring.

Overdrive is accommodated by providing, either separately or as a part of the clutch, a friction or O-ring type slip means (further clutch) effectively between the platen connection and the drive structure rotatable therewith, i.e., as a part of the drive. A pair of projections respectively carried by the bell ringer drive and the fixed disc determine the return (starting) position, as well as the extreme or limit position (e.g. 360) therefrom where the safety slip clutch becomes effective. Indexing may be set for selected amounts of rotation up to the limit position, but typing may continue beyond the indexed position and beyond the limit position without damage to the apparatus or typewriter.

The driving arrangement is preferably of the gear reduction type so that several revolutions of the platen (perhaps three) produce only a single revolution between the bell ringer and bell. Thus, full letter or legal size pages may be indexed.

With the foregoing in mind, it is among the objects of this invention to provide setable typewriter apparatus for ringing a bell after a predetermined amount of platen rotation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such apparatus incorporating a reduction drive between the platen and bell ringing means.

A further object is the provision of a signalling device incorporating means for slipping the platen to hell ring-.

ing drive after a predetermined amount of platen drive.

And yet another object of the invention is the provision of return means for resetting the apparatus by the operator at any time, and which return means is tensioned by platen drive, but only to a predetermined limit.

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross sectional view of a portionof the structure of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 1, there is shown a typewriter 11 having a rotatable platen 13 and a frame or support 15 therefor. The invention is shown in operative relation to the typewriter 11, being coupled thereto by a universal plate 49 adapted to fix a supporting coupling mount or bracket 17in a single stationary position in conjunction with platen extension shaft 31 (FIG. 2). The single stationary position is determined by projection 46 (FIG. 2) extending between universal plate 49 and coupling mount or bracket 17 via hole 45 and aperture 43 of the respective plate 49 and bracket 17. The invention includes the indexing drum 19, to permit the operator to select a predetermined amount of platen movement, and a platen knob 21 for enabling the operator to rotate the platen 13.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a platen extension shaft 31, adapted for connection to the axis or shaft (not shown) of platen 13 by a flange coupler 33 secured thereto through the allen set screws, such as 35 and 37. Shaft 31 includes a flat terminal portion 39 for establishing a non-slipping connection for platen drive to structure to be described. The normal direction of rotation of the platen 13 during typing is shown by arrow 41 indicating the direction of movement of platen extension shaft 31.

A coupling mount or bracket 17 is provided for connecting or supporting the signalling apparatus from the frame or support 15 for platen 13. The coupling mount or bracket 17 may assume many various configurations and its purpose is simply to provide a mechanical support connection between the invention and the platen frame 15. This may or may not comprise the carriage frame because in certain typewriters there is no carriage and the invention is still useful by attaching directly to the platen frame 15.

Coupling mount or'bracket 17 is provided with a recess or aperture 43 to receive a projection 46 adapted to be fixed to a plate 49 in hole 45. Coupling mount or'bracket 17 carries a zero or base reference mark shown in the form of a notch 50. Plate 49 includes an opening 47 for accommodating shaft extension 31 and flange coupler 33. Sleeve 55 fixed to coupling mount or bracket 17 includes a flat portion 57 and also a bore 59 for accommodating platen extension shaft 31.

Next, the indexing drum 19 carries indexing indic ia which may comprise notations for lines or other desired platen rotation. Drum 19 includes therein a bell 61 having a bearing hub 62. A striking stud 63 extends from drum l9 throughbell 61. The hub 62 is adapted for a snug or frictional type engagement with shoulder 53, such that drum 19 may be turned to a predetermined or preselected position by the operator relative to shaft 31 to set the amount of platen rotation desired to ring the bell 61. The bell ringer comprises anarm .71 of spring to carry bell ringer arm 71 past stud 63 which flicks the spring bell ringer arm 71 and causes it to strike bell 6l. Washer 64 serves as a bearing between hub 79 and the manual indexable drum 19 with bell 61.

The bell ringer drum 73 includes an internal toothed gear 81 for receiving the much smaller gears 83 and 85 rotatably mounted on stationary gear support disk 101. Universal plate 49 is rigidly affixed to the carriage of typewriter 11 and the coupling mount or bracket 17 is pinned to plate 49 by pin 46 to maintain this coupling mount or bracket 17 and its integral hollow sleeve 55 fixed against movement. The gear support disk 101 includes the flatted central opening 103 for engaging the flatted terminal portion 57 of hollow sleeve support 55 thereby retaining the gear support disk 101 also fixed against movement.

Drum 73 carries one or more apertures 91 for receiving an end 93 of the bell ringer return spring 95, which has its opposite end secured in aperture 97 of disk 101. Thus, it may be seen that the rewind spring 95 is maintained fixed and the drum 73 is driven via gears 83 and 85 to tighten this spring 95 during normal platen movement, i.e., up to a predetermined amount of platen movement.

A gear reduction connection is established by gears 83 and 85 meshing with internal gear 81. The drive for small gears 83 and 85 is taken from gear 141 fixed on driving member 139 such that rotation of driving member 139 in the direction of arrow 143 (clockwise) causes small gear 83 to rotate in the direction of arrow 88 (counterclockwise) and small gear 85 to rotate in the direction of arrow 89 (also counterclockwise).

The bell ringer drum 73 carries a projection or stop means 111 for rotation relative to a projection or stop means 113 carried by the gear support disk 101. Projection 113 is fixed and projection 111 is moved counter-clockwise relative thereto by platen movement through the drive connection of gears 83 shaft 31. However, the platen knob 21 may be moved to the left an amount sufficient to close the space 158 shown in F IG. 3 because knob 21' will slide relative to its keyed insert 151 when sufficient force is used to overcome drive spring 131. The space 158 is sufficient to cause the drive to slip at O-ring 137. The knob 21 cannot be removed to the right from the assembly because of retaining washer 155 held by screw 153. arrow 117. After a predetermined amount of rotation of drum 73, the bell ringer 71 will strike stud 63 and be flipped against bell 61, to ring the bell 61 at the predetermined position.

A drive or clutch spring 131 is seated in the annular recessed arc-like extensions 133 and 1338 of disk 101 and extends to drive plate or ring 135, which fric--.

tionally engages the interior of knob 21 for rotation therewith in the driving direction of arrow 122 (clockwise). Spring 131 urges drive ring 135 against a friction means, shown as O-ri'ng 137, to couple the drive to driving member 139, carried by platen extension shaft 31. Member 139 is terminated .in gear 141 which revolves clockwise, in the direction of arrow 143, when coupled by ring 137 to knob 21 by spring I 131 urging drive ring 135 to the right as seen in FIG. 3, thereby'impa'rting platen drivethrough the described mechanism.

The structure incorporating O-ring 137 acts as a safety slip clutch for disengaging platen drive from the gear train 81, 83 and following a full revolution of projection 111 until it again contacts fixed projection 113, but from the opposite side thereof. This action prevents rewind or return spring from being overwound. Also, clutch or drive spring 131 may be intentionally compressed, at any time, by the operator by movement of platen knob 21 to the left, to move drive ring in a direction away from O-ring 137, thereby releasing the drive and permitting rewind or return spring 95 to return all gear connected components 81, 83 and 85 to their home position. This is true because knob 21 is carried by platen extension shaft 31. lts keyed insert 151 with key way 152 engaging key is seated on the terminal flat portion 39 of platen extension shaft 31 via its flat slot 154 and the knob 21 and its insert 151 is tightened to shaft 31 by screw 153 passing through washer'155 (adapted to set against shoulder 144) and being received in threaded hole 157 of shaft 31. However, the platen knob 21 may be moved to the left an amount sufficient to close the space 158 shown in FIG. 3 because knob 21 will slide relative to its keyed insert 151 when sufficient force is used to overcome drive spring 131. The space 151 is sufficient to cause the drive to slip at O ring 137. The knob21 cannot be removed to the right from the assembly because 0 retaining washer held by screw 153.

It will thus be appreciated that the driving engagement may be maintained for one full revolution of drum 73, which is one fractional part (perhaps approximately one-third to one-fourth) of the rotation of platen 13 due to the gear reduction between the diameters of the gears 83, 85 and 81. However, the bell 61 may be set to ring at incremental portions of this amount of rotation. If the typist continues even after the complete rotation of drum 73, the mechanism is protected by the safety slip clutch disengaging or slipping the O-ring driving engagement at 137.

It will of course be appreciated that the desired predetermined amount of rotation is determined by the stud 63 of indexing drum 19 and the bell ringer spring arm 71 of-bell ringer drum 73. Thus, it is clear that the bell 61 could be fixed to hub 79 and the ringer 71 could be fixed within indexing drum 19 to achieve the same action.

What is claimed is: 1

1. Apparatus for signalling a predetermined amount of typewriter platen movement relative to the platen support therefor comprising in combination a shaft for means fixed to the sleeve portion; rewind spring means carried between the stationary fixed means and the further drum; stop means carried by the further drum; further stop means carried by said stationary fixed means; knob means affixed to the shaft to enable turning of the platen; drive means extending the drive from the knob through the stationary fixed means to the further drum; and clutch means for controlling a driving connection from the shaft to said further drum. 7

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprises biasing spring means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive means comprises a driving member having a gear, a driving ring means, a friction means interposed between the driving member and driving ring means, connecting gear means carried by the stationary fixed means, driving spring means between the driving ring means and the stationary fixed means, and further gear means carried by the further drum for meshing with the connecting gear means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clutch means comprises driving spring means and a drive plate and the drive means comprising insert means connected to said shaft to support the knob means in driving connection therewith and for longitudinal movement relative thereto; said knob means being hollow to receive the drive plate in internal frictional engagement therewith; said knob means being normally biased to an outward position relative to said shaft by the driving spring means bearing against the drive plate; a driving member carried by the shaft against the insert means within the knob means'for rotation therewith and relative thereto; said insert means establishing a space between the driving member and the knob means along its longitudinal axis whereby movement of the knob means to decrease said space disengages the' clutch means to enable the rewind spring means to return the further drum to a position determined by said stop means abuttingsaid further stop means.

5. For use with a typewriter having a platen and platen support, apparatus for signalling a predetermined amount of platen movement comprising driving means for attachment to the platen to be driven therefrom while the platen moves; said driving means comprising an extension shaft connected to the platen and a hollow knob connected to the extension shaft; frame means for the driving means supported from the platen support; means carried by the frame means and selectively positionable from a zero position relative to the frame means to determine a signalling location for platen rotation; further driving means; signalling means driven from a corresponding zero position by the further driving means to the signalling location; clutch means comprising a spring and a friction ring connecting the driving means and the further driving means and for releasing the further driving means from the driving means after a predetermined amount of drive; said further driving means comprising a driving member carried by the frame means for drive from the driving means via. the clutch means; further means coupling the driving member to the signalling means; said driving member being releasably driven under control of the knob; means for storing energy during the drive; said driving means further comprising means for enabling the release of the further driving means for return of the signalling means to the zero position by the storing means; and said means for enabling the release of the further driving means comprising an insert connected to the extension shaft as a part of the driving means; said knob being carried by the insert and slidable relative thereto; said frame means locating the driving member within the knob but longitudinally spaced therefrom whereby closure of the longitudinal spacing by movement of the knob relative to the insert releases the clutch means. 

1. Apparatus for signalling a predetermined amount of typewriter platen movement relative to the platen support therefor comprising in combination a shaft for attachment to and rotation with the pintle end of the platen; frame means for attachment to the platen support and comprising a sleeve portion fitting over the shaft; an indexable drum carried by the sleeve portion and frictionally rotatable relative thereto from a zero position to a bell ringing position; a further drum carried by the sleeve portion and driven relative thereto; a bell means carried by one of the indexing drum and the further drum and a bell ringer carried by the other of the indexing drum and the further drum; stationary means fixed to the sleeve portion; rewind spring means carried between the stationary fixed means and the further drum; stop means carried by the further drum; further stop means carried by said stationary fixed means; knob means affixed to the shaft to enable turning of the platen; drive means extending the drive from the knob through the stationary fixed means to the further drum; and clutch means for controlling a driving connection from the shaft to said further drum.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprises biasing spring means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive means comprises a driving member having a gear, a driving ring means, a friction means interposed between the driving member and driving ring means, connecting gear means carried by the stationary fixed means, driving spring means between the driving ring means and the stationary fixed means, and further gear means carried by the further drum for meshing with the connecting gear means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clutch means comprises driving spring means and a drive plate and the drive means comprising insert means connected to said shaft to support the knob means in driving connection therewith and for longitudinal movement relative thereto; said knob means being hollow to receive the drive plate in internal frictional engagement therewith; said knob means being normally biased to an outward position relative to said shaft by the driving spring means bearing against the drive plate; a driving member carried by the shaft against the insert means within the knob means for rotation therewith and relative thereto; said insert means establishing a space between the driving member and the knob means along its longitudinal axis whereby movement of the knob means to decrease said space disengages the clutch means to enable the rewind spring means to return the further drum to a position determined by said stop means abutting said further stop means.
 5. For use with a typewriter having a platen and platen support, apparatus for signalling a predetermined amount of platen movement comprising driving means for attachment to the platen to be driven therefrom while the platen moves; said driving means comprising an extension shaft connected to the platen and a hollow knob connected to the extension shaft; frame means for the driving means supported from the platen support; means carried by the frame means and selectively positionable from a zero position relative to the frame means to determine a signalling location for platen rotation; further driving means; signalling means driven from a corresponding zero position by the further driving means to the signalling location; clutch means comprising a spring and a friction ring connecting the driving means and the further driving means and for releasing the further driving means from the driving means after a predetermined amount of drive; said further driving means comprising a driving member carried by the frame means for drive from the driving means via the clutch means; further means coupling the driving member to the signalling means; said driving member being releasably driven under control of the knob; means for storing energy during the drive; said driving means further comprising means for enabling the release of the further driving means for return of the signalling means to the zero position by the storing means; and said means for enabling the release of the further driving means comprising an insert connected to the extension shaft as a part of the driving means; said knob being carried by the insert and slidable relative thereto; said frame means locating the driving member within the knob but longitudinally spaced therefrom whereby closure of the longitudinal spacing by movement of the knob relative to the insert releases the clutch means. 